Complete one of the Family and Consumer Sciences degree programs described in this catalog.

Students may minor in Family and Consumer Sciences by earning 18 semester hours of credit approved by the department chair.

Family Studies

The Family Studies program prepares the student for careers with community service agencies that serve children and families. Courses equip the student to assist individuals and families in the pursuit of optimal personal development and strong family relationships. A specialization in Family Studies also provides a rich foundation for graduate education in areas such as family law, social science research, and marriage and family therapy. In their final year, students participate in a field experience with an approved social service agency of individual interest.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Family Studies - Family and Consumer Sciences General Concentration

The general program provides a broad background of preparation for the student who wishes to work as a Family and Consumer Sciences Professional in one of many varied career options.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Family Studies - Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Certification Concentration

The teacher certification program provides professional training for careers requiring technical knowledge of family and consumer sciences, as well as expertise in instructional methods. Students must meet admission and certification requirements of the Lamar University Teacher Education Program outlined elsewhere in this catalog. Several courses in the FCS Teacher Certification degree plan are taught through the Texas Family and Consumer Sciences Distance Education Alliance. The Alliance is a statewide network of Texas universities offering on-line courses to maximize educational resources through inter-institutional collaboration. During academic advising, students are made aware of Alliance course offerings.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Fashion Retailing & Merchandising

The Fashion Retailing and Merchandising specialization provides professional training for positions in fashion coordination, visual merchandising, buying and retail management. The curriculum includes on-the-job training through a field experience program. Students have opportunities to study in international fashion centers.

This academic curriculum is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (formerly American Dietetic Association) as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for an AND-accredited dietetic internship at Lamar and/or elsewhere. After successful completion of an internship, an individual is eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians and, upon passing, become a Registered Dietitian.

A student selecting the Foods and Nutrition Program works closely with the advisor in structuring a course of study compatible with the student's career goals and nutrition interests. The student has the opportunity to obtain an 18-hour concentration in a related field, such as health, science, business, hospitality management, psychology, kinesiology, etc.

The Hospitality Administration program is designed to provide students with the competencies necessary for success in the hospitality and travel industry. The program prepares students for a wide variety of management careers, including positions in hotels, restaurants, resorts, private clubs, catering operations, events centers, school and hospital foodservices, cruise ships and other transport services, as well as procurement and vendor supply. Students may specialize in food and beverage, lodging or culinary arts management. The program also features an accredited culinary arts certification (American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission). Students may graduate as certified culinarians. Scholarships are available from local, state, and national restaurant, chefs, and hotel and lodging associations.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 122

Master of Science

The Master of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) allows students to choose courses in foods and nutrition, family studies, and other areas within the field. A Dietetics Internship (DI) is available at Lamar. For those students, 15 of the 27 credit hours required in the DI may be applied toward the M.S. degree.

For admission, the department requires

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

A minimum of 146 on the Verbal section of the GRE.

A minimum total score of 428 based on this formula: (GPA X 50) + (GRE Verbal + GRE Quantitative). The GPA used in the formula may be either the overall undergraduate GPA or the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work, whichever is higher. The grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by semester hours considered (either the total number of semester hours attempted or by the last sixty semester hours). For this computation "A" equals 4 grade points, "B" equals 3, "C" equals 2, "D" equals 1, and "F" equals 0.

A limited number of scholarships and graduate assistantships are available. Contact the department chair for details.

If a student's undergraduate degree is in a discipline other than FCS or one of its subject matter areas, the student is required to complete undergraduate course work. The graduate advisor works closely with the student to determine any undergraduate deficiencies.

Degree Requirements

All graduate students in the department are required to complete FCSC 5300 and a graduate statistics course. The remainder of each student's program of study is developed according to the student's professional goals and interests.

Thesis route: This option consists of 30 credit hours. The thesis counts for six hours and the course work comprises 24 hours. Six credit hours may be taken in other departments.

Non-Thesis route: A student electing this option will complete 36 hours of course work, 12 of which may be taken in other departments. Non-thesis students are required to pass a comprehensive written and an oral exam covering course work completed during the graduate program.